Smoking and Surgery

3AngelsMommy · 10-05-2006, 09:23 AM

I know, I know - you are supposed to QUIT smoking before and after the surgery and if not quit, at least cut down.

I haven't.

My surgeon explained that because he is doing the most simple incision (under the breast fold) and not a more complicated one (aerola) that the risk of necrosis(?) is smaller. He said not to stress it if I can't quit, but to try and cut back. He also said that during recovery I probably won't even want to smoke . . . I betcha I wil : P

Any advice or tips?

Tee · 10-05-2006, 10:33 AM

I quit smoking about 3 1/2 years ago and it was before my breast augmentation. I can tell you what I did that helped me and I quit cold turkey...I brushed my teeth everytime I had the urge for a cigarette. If you are on the road, use mouthwash or one of the "brush up" strips. It stops that oral fixation urge and not to mention, you will have some beautiful pearly whites! I know it's hard, but when you kick the habit, you will be so glad you did and the smell of smoke will drive you crazy! Trust me!
Good luck hon

natthebug · 10-05-2006, 11:43 AM

I smoke have off and on for about 14 years. They asked if i smoked i said yes they said just to try and cut down... I did a little but still smoke including during recovery ( which is going rather fast I am only a week out). If you are not chain smoking a pack a day I wouldn't worry about it... why give your self one more thing to stress over.,..that will just make you want to smoke more! aynyways that is just my experience and my OP.....

Tee · 10-05-2006, 12:19 PM

No problem. Glad I could help.

Not to downplay what Nathalie is saying, this may work for her, but if you can quit, I would at least try. It can prolong the healing process and/or can cause complications.
My ps made me sign a waiver that I was not a smoker and if I was and didn't quit, that he would not be held responsible for possible complications or healing problems.

Atomic · 10-05-2006, 03:03 PM

I didn't quit with mine... I smoked on the way to my op, and also on the way home. I've only had one problem with my incisions, and that was due to a stitch that they missed when they were taking them out, and once that last one had been removed, they healed absolutely fine.

That said, it's still better all round if you can quit, or at least cut down, before you have your surgery.

Sweet Heart · 10-05-2006, 08:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 3AngelsMommy

I know, I know - you are supposed to QUIT smoking before and after the surgery and if not quit, at least cut down.

I haven't.

My surgeon explained that because he is doing the most simple incision (under the breast fold) and not a more complicated one (aerola) that the risk of necrosis(?) is smaller. He said not to stress it if I can't quit, but to try and cut back. He also said that during recovery I probably won't even want to smoke . . . I betcha I wil : P

Any advice or tips?

Hey there. I can't believe it but I actually stopped smoking. When I first learned I could loose a nipple ahhahahah, or mess myself up smoking and having a breast augmentation....I had to make a choice..and trust me..I am a two pack a day smoker...love those darn things...and Ive been smoking for 20 years!!!

I decided which I wanted most...and I figured well heck, if I stop smoking that can help pay for my breast augmentation...

So I bought a weeks worth of patches and some candy to suck on...and the second week, I toughed it out and just used the candy...now its two months later..and Im not even using the candy.....yes, its still hard though..and some days in the beginning I didnt think I was going to make it...but I did it...

I am so proud of myself...now I have new boobies....better lungs...more money in my pocket book, and smell like perfume instead of ciggys...

I wish the best for you....its the hardest thing in the world to do!!!

Dawn · 10-06-2006, 10:29 PM

I didnt quit either. I tried to slow down but that didnt work. I smoked 1 before surgery and puffed like mad after. The only problem Im having is this sandpapered feeling but I called the PS office and the nurse said it is very normal and a good thing that Im having this type of sensation. It means I will get more sensation back. When I went to my PO my PS said I looked really good and I said, "And Im a Smoker Too". He just gave me that look. But each person is different. If you heal well then you are going to heal well after your breast augmentation. If you have other medical problems ie a diabetic or any other elment that causes your O2 Saturation too be low then you will have more problems.

ARK · 10-07-2006, 12:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Evans

Hey there. I can't believe it but I actually stopped smoking. When I first learned I could loose a nipple ahhahahah, or mess myself up smoking and having a breast augmentation....I had to make a choice..and trust me..I am a two pack a day smoker...love those darn things...and Ive been smoking for 20 years!!!

I decided which I wanted most...and I figured well heck, if I stop smoking that can help pay for my breast augmentation...

So I bought a weeks worth of patches and some candy to suck on...and the second week, I toughed it out and just used the candy...now its two months later..and Im not even using the candy.....yes, its still hard though..and some days in the beginning I didnt think I was going to make it...but I did it...

I am so proud of myself...now I have new boobies....better lungs...more money in my pocket book, and smell like perfume instead of ciggys...

I wish the best for you....its the hardest thing in the world to do!!!

I'm so proud of you!! I wondered if you picked it back up after the surgery. I know it is so hard!! Good for yoU!

Sweet Heart · 10-07-2006, 12:38 PM

Yeah, so far I havent smoked. Its still very hard though..some days are better than others...but when I get really stressed, like right now, Id love to smoke.
I have something thats bothering me so badly right now, and I could kill for a cig...but I just keep telling myself not to do it.

I hope I can continue to stay quit.....I really do. Wish me luck.

mzbiyotch · 10-07-2006, 01:24 PM

My PS asked me to quit before my surgery....unfortunately I could not do it. The anesthesia Dr made me have an albutral breathing treatment before surgery. I had an excellent recovery with no complications. I did have to go in at my year checkup and have my left scar revised. (due to no breast tissue the weight of the implant pulled on the incision and it made the scar wider than my PS wanted) He fixed it right in his office with a couple stitches and I asked if smoking could have caused it and he told me no. If you are able to quit it is truly best, but it caused no problems in my recovery! Good luck!

jodyt · 10-08-2006, 06:28 PM

obviously its better if you do give up and im not going to pretend otherwise but i didnt..................

well i pretended i had and just devolopd a unhealthy fixation with the garden shed i was visting it about 60 times a day and funnyly enough every time i went in great clouds of smoke started comeing out urmmmmmmmmmm cant think why

weez · 11-03-2009, 10:51 PM

Thanks everyone for all of your smoking stories. I have been freaking out cause I have not been able to quit completely. I have cut down quite a bit though. My breast augmentation is scheduled for Nov 24th.

Genie · 11-04-2009, 12:53 AM

I smoke about half a pack a day (unless I'm drinking

& I didn't quit before surgery. I actually smoked 1 cig on the way to the PS office! Bad I know. Then I smoked my 2nd day cause I didn't even THINK about smoking after surgery cause I was sleeping! Had no complications healing except for an opening in my incision.

BlondLady · 11-04-2009, 01:11 AM

Well everyone should quit before surgery. I didnt though. I smoke and didnt even try to quit. Isnt a smart thing to do cause can lead to complications. Thankgod though i had none myself. Quit if you can or at least cut way back.

10-05-2006, 09:23 AM	#1
3AngelsMommy Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Ohio Posts: 15 Thanks: 0 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts	Smoking and Surgery I know, I know - you are supposed to QUIT smoking before and after the surgery and if not quit, at least cut down. I haven't. My surgeon explained that because he is doing the most simple incision (under the breast fold) and not a more complicated one (aerola) that the risk of necrosis(?) is smaller. He said not to stress it if I can't quit, but to try and cut back. He also said that during recovery I probably won't even want to smoke . . . I betcha I wil : P Any advice or tips?

10-05-2006, 11:43 AM	#3
natthebug Mrs. Polka Flax Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 274 Thanks: 0 Thanked 4 Times in 4 Posts	I smoke have off and on for about 14 years. They asked if i smoked i said yes they said just to try and cut down... I did a little but still smoke including during recovery ( which is going rather fast I am only a week out). If you are not chain smoking a pack a day I wouldn't worry about it... why give your self one more thing to stress over.,..that will just make you want to smoke more! aynyways that is just my experience and my OP..... __________________ Dr. Troy Andreasen

10-07-2006, 12:38 PM	#9
Sweet Heart Join Date: Sep 2006 Posts: 121 Thanks: 3 Thanked 6 Times in 5 Posts	ark Yeah, so far I havent smoked. Its still very hard though..some days are better than others...but when I get really stressed, like right now, Id love to smoke. I have something thats bothering me so badly right now, and I could kill for a cig...but I just keep telling myself not to do it. I hope I can continue to stay quit.....I really do. Wish me luck.

10-08-2006, 06:28 PM	#11
jodyt Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: salisbury,england Posts: 1,343 Thanks: 424 Thanked 327 Times in 232 Posts	3angelsmommy obviously its better if you do give up and im not going to pretend otherwise but i didnt.................. well i pretended i had and just devolopd a unhealthy fixation with the garden shed i was visting it about 60 times a day and funnyly enough every time i went in great clouds of smoke started comeing out urmmmmmmmmmm cant think why

11-03-2009, 10:51 PM	#12
weez Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Binghamton, New York Posts: 19 Thanks: 18 Thanked 7 Times in 7 Posts	Thanks everyone for all of your smoking stories. I have been freaking out cause I have not been able to quit completely. I have cut down quite a bit though. My breast augmentation is scheduled for Nov 24th. __________________ -

10-05-2006, 10:33 AM	#2
Tee Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: South Carolina Posts: 162 Thanks: 2 Thanked 7 Times in 7 Posts	I quit smoking about 3 1/2 years ago and it was before my breast augmentation. I can tell you what I did that helped me and I quit cold turkey...I brushed my teeth everytime I had the urge for a cigarette. If you are on the road, use mouthwash or one of the "brush up" strips. It stops that oral fixation urge and not to mention, you will have some beautiful pearly whites! I know it's hard, but when you kick the habit, you will be so glad you did and the smell of smoke will drive you crazy! Trust me! Good luck hon

10-05-2006, 12:19 PM	#4
Tee Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: South Carolina Posts: 162 Thanks: 2 Thanked 7 Times in 7 Posts	No problem. Glad I could help. Not to downplay what Nathalie is saying, this may work for her, but if you can quit, I would at least try. It can prolong the healing process and/or can cause complications. My ps made me sign a waiver that I was not a smoker and if I was and didn't quit, that he would not be held responsible for possible complications or healing problems.

10-05-2006, 03:03 PM	#5
Atomic Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Essex, UK Posts: 776 Thanks: 22 Thanked 278 Times in 240 Posts	I didn't quit with mine... I smoked on the way to my op, and also on the way home. I've only had one problem with my incisions, and that was due to a stitch that they missed when they were taking them out, and once that last one had been removed, they healed absolutely fine. That said, it's still better all round if you can quit, or at least cut down, before you have your surgery.

10-06-2006, 10:29 PM	#7
Dawn Join Date: Sep 2006 Posts: 49 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	I didnt quit either. I tried to slow down but that didnt work. I smoked 1 before surgery and puffed like mad after. The only problem Im having is this sandpapered feeling but I called the PS office and the nurse said it is very normal and a good thing that Im having this type of sensation. It means I will get more sensation back. When I went to my PO my PS said I looked really good and I said, "And Im a Smoker Too". He just gave me that look. But each person is different. If you heal well then you are going to heal well after your breast augmentation. If you have other medical problems ie a diabetic or any other elment that causes your O2 Saturation too be low then you will have more problems.

10-07-2006, 01:24 PM	#10
mzbiyotch Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 25 Thanks: 0 Thanked 5 Times in 5 Posts	My PS asked me to quit before my surgery....unfortunately I could not do it. The anesthesia Dr made me have an albutral breathing treatment before surgery. I had an excellent recovery with no complications. I did have to go in at my year checkup and have my left scar revised. (due to no breast tissue the weight of the implant pulled on the incision and it made the scar wider than my PS wanted) He fixed it right in his office with a couple stitches and I asked if smoking could have caused it and he told me no. If you are able to quit it is truly best, but it caused no problems in my recovery! Good luck!

11-04-2009, 12:53 AM	#13
Genie 1000cc YAY! Thanks to all my JBI sisters for support! Join Date: May 2009 Location: Statesboro, GA Posts: 541 Thanks: 31 Thanked 287 Times in 209 Posts	I smoke about half a pack a day (unless I'm drinking & I didn't quit before surgery. I actually smoked 1 cig on the way to the PS office! Bad I know. Then I smoked my 2nd day cause I didn't even THINK about smoking after surgery cause I was sleeping! Had no complications healing except for an opening in my incision. __________________ 1st breast augmentation & BL: 620cc HP, smooth, round, saline, Mentor implants on March 27, 2009 Saggy, small 36D before-VERY perky 36DDD/F after 1 syringe of Juvederm Ultra Plus on September 8, 2009 to upper & lower lip 2nd breast augmentation: 1000cc Mod+, smooth, round, saline Mentor implants on January 22, 2010 So far I'm a 36 H!

11-04-2009, 01:11 AM	#14
BlondLady Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Angola,New York Posts: 549 Thanks: 170 Thanked 179 Times in 165 Posts	Well everyone should quit before surgery. I didnt though. I smoke and didnt even try to quit. Isnt a smart thing to do cause can lead to complications. Thankgod though i had none myself. Quit if you can or at least cut way back. __________________ -

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